Carefully add the sugar and water to a heavy, large saucepan. You do not have to stir to combine; the sugar will melt and mix with the water as it heats. Cook the sugar water over medium heat for approximately 17 minutes, until thickened and slightly golden colored, to the one thread stage. (223 - 234 degrees F on a candy thermometer. For those inexperienced with candymaking, a thermometer is a godsend, but not essential.)

Combine the half and half and the powdered milk in a small bowl, mixing to dissolve the milk. As soon as the sugar syrup reaches the right consistency, quickly add the shredded coconut, then the dairy mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon. Continue to stir the coconut and syrup mixture over medium heat until the mixture thickens somewhat, then stir in the ghee and vanilla extract. It will turn a very pale ivory color. Again, continue to stir until the mixture thickens considerably and dries out to at least 1/3 less than its original volume. It will start to get close to completion when you can see the bottom of the saucepan as you drag the spoon across it, and the bubbling, lava-like edges of the mixture disappear. I let the mixture set a moment to toast it slightly darker. This also helped to dry it out more. Turn out the mixture into a cake pan (approximately 9 inches) lined with well-greased parchment paper or foil, spreading it evenly. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before scoring the burfi into squares, diamonds or triangles. Do not fully cut through. Allow it to cool another 10 minutes, then cut around the circumference to loosen the burfi from the pan. Turn out the burfi onto a cutting surface to complete cutting through the shapes. Peel off the parchment paper or foil. Makes approximately 16 squares. --

[Whip It Up Wednesday is an occasional post featuring recipes that only look like you slaved over them all day. Don't be daunted. Even though this involves careful watching, this is an easy recipe that will be ready in about an hour.]

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Did you know that green tea is one of the most healthful beverages on the planet?Did you know that studies have shown that green tea is bursting with serious anti-oxidants that are proven champions in the fight against many of the ailments and diseases that typically afflict us?Did you know that for all its health-enhancing qualities that it has no calories and a fairly low caffeine content?And did you know that I blew out all the benefits of this powerhouse plant by baking up a batch of cream puffs with it?

My day did not start out so recklessly.I had the very best intentions.After a luxurious and desperately needed nine hours of sleep, I woke early with the idea that I would tap a teaspoon of green tea powder into a cup of hot water for a refreshing, cleansing tonic.While I do enjoy genmaicha prepared from bags or loose leaves, I had not found a high quality powder until a few weeks ago.Not that I wasn’t looking.I vividly remembered the sacred experience of one perfect scoop of matcha ice cream I’d had at a Japanese restaurant several months ago.As dense and crystal-free as gelato and as verdantly hued as a weathered park bench, it was impossible to disrespect the darkly earthy flavor by savaging the whole thing in one mouthful.It required a ritual as disciplined as chanoyu, a slow sculpting away at the clay sphere with the very edge of a small, carefully poised spoon. A very concentrated powder, I was told by my dining companion, was the prerequisite to making this exquisite treat at home.

A very concentrated powder is what I held in my hand this morning.I froze on the spot.Suddenly, the cup of hot water was looking pretty dull and uninviting.Not like a sweet, not like ice cream.Ice cream for breakfast, how decadent can you get?Even I, with a voracious sweet tooth, felt a flicker of shame at the idea.No, it had to be something indulgent that I could pass off as breakfast, even though it wasn’t exactly traditional. After all, millions reach for donuts and Danishes with their morning coffee every day.I absentminded cruised the interiors of my fridge, looking for that intangibly perfect something I knew was hidden in there.

It was: a tub of mascarpone with an expiration date still a month away.Wheels were turning, now; there was no turning back.I Googled green tea, I Googled mascarpone, I Googled myself into a frenzy, right into a green tea tiramisu recipe*, the epitome of fashionable fusion.Without any ladyfingers in the cupboard, I needed a fast and light foundation to hold the thick, rich cream.I leaned into the fusion and went to France, to a foolproof pâte à choux.

Foolish I felt, too. An hour later, I sheepishly eyed a platter cluttered with adorable little cream puffs.I really did have the best intentions. The pastries were among the most finely flavored and textured desserts I had had in a long time.I washed down my guilt with the biggest mug of green tea I could brew.

Green Tea Cream Puffs

Ingredients

1 batch of cream puffs, following the exact specs from the Joy of Baking (I piped the dough into 16 2-inch mounds.)

While the cream puffs are cooling, beat the mascarpone and optional butter together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup of the sugar with the green tea powder. Beat this dry mixture into the mascarpone, then incrementally add the remaining sugar, alternating with spoonfuls of milk until the mixture reaches the consistency you prefer. (I chose a very thick, somewhat dry cream for deeply decorative piping.)

After the cream puffs have cooled, carefully split them horizontally (one third to one half down) with a sharp, serrated knife. Pipe or spoon filling into the cream puff cavities, then top each with the upper cuts of pastry. If filling becomes too thin while piping, place in refrigerator for a few minutes to chill and harden. Best served immediately. Makes 16 two-bite servings. --

This post is being submitted to Rinku of Cooking in Westchester, hosting Weekend Herb Blogging for Kalyn Denny of Kalyn's Kitchen, the creator of this popular weekly food blogging event.

Arrange the cashews in a single layer on an ungreased cookie sheet. Toast them in a 350 degree F pre-heated oven for approximately 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Watch them carefully. Do not let them get overly browned; they will be further toasted during the glazing. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

In a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil with the pepper flakes over medium heat until the oil begins to thin. Add the cooled cashews and stir to coat with the spiced oil. Add corn syrup and continue to stir until the cashews brown further and the corn syrup mixture starts to thicken, dry and bubble. Remove from heat and return to the cookie sheet, spreading the nuts out in a single layer while gently separating them. Crank salt over nuts, then taste to adjust for seasonings, adding more pepper flakes and salt if desired. Allow to cool. Sugar syrup will harden into a glaze with small bits of praline crystals. Makes 2 cups. --

After: Gently sweet, hot and golden.

This post is being submitted to Mansi of Fun and Food, the host of Game Night Party, featuring easy vegetarian recipes to whip up for feeding the crowd in front of the set on February 3 or any other of your favorite sport spectators.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Today, January 6, is National Bean Day. I have this on good authority, although based on my research thus far, no one can quite explain how this decidedly un-Hallmark holiday came to be. No matter. I’ve had beans on the brain for quite some time now. After the bacchanalian food feasts of December, a return, however briefly, to a healthier and more economical repast seems an appropriate way to fulfill an unspoken New Year’s resolution without the trauma and guilt of falling off a full-fledged commitment.

Legumes are consumed and revered in every culture that has the arable land to cultivate them on. Chock full of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, they are one of the natural wonders of the plant kingdom and a staple where meat, fish or dairy are scarce. They are also the banner diet of many a staunch vegetarian and vegan, offering myriad options in flavor, shape, color and texture, fending off the notion that alternative lifestyles need be boring. While many are familiar with the virtues of chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, black-eyed peas and limas, there are countless other varieties just ripe for the picking, many relatively easy to find on your grocer’s shelves, and all lending themselves to a wide range of dishes, savory to sweet, covering any meal or course.

Here are the guidelines for your participation:

Prepare a legume recipe and post about it between now and February 9, including in your post a link to this event announcement. Upon posting, please send the following to thewellseasonedcook AT yahoo DOT com:

- Your name- The name of your blog and its URL- The URL to your post- Your location- A photo – optional (I will resize them with non-distorting dimensions. No worries.)

- Non bloggers: You are welcome to submit a recipe. Please send your name, location, recipe and an optional photo. I will include you in the round-up.

- PLEASE NOTE: Meat, fish and diary ARE all permissible as long as your chosen legume is the predominant ingredient in your dish. Any course is welcome (salads, starters, sandwiches, soups, entrées, AND desserts), prepared any way you like.

- While I can run a page translation program covering some languages for submissions by non-English participants, please at minimum offer an introduction to your recipe in English so that I can showcase it to the best advantage to the widest readership.

Any questions, please contact me at the address above. So spill ‘em…the beans, that is! I look forward to your recipes. You can expect the round-up to be posted during the week of February 10. Latecomers will be accepted if time and workflow allow. Use of the logo is entirely optional. Many thanks for joining in!

UPDATED January 28: Please note that this event is not a contest, but a gathering of many wonderful recipes from around the world. I would find it impossible to choose any one, or three, or ten recipes as the best when they are all genuinely first rate to me.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Blogging is a strange animal.A blog can literally reach millions, yet it can also be a voice crying in the wilderness.When I launched The Well-Seasoned Cook in early 2007, I did not have a plan.What I did have was a curiosity and hankering for a new experience that would be both introspective and insular, yet foster community and camaraderie. What I got was much more than I could have anticipated, an ever-evolving arena to nurture a variety of creative arts that are dear to me and the delightful discovery that they are just as dear to many, many others.

2008 is gearing up to be an exciting year.Scott’s book will be published next month; I have a brand new baby who will challenge my assumptions about art and technology; and The Well-Seasoned Cook will celebrate its first anniversary in March. I still do not have a plan; I do not want one, lest it spoil the surprises. But even though I don’t know where it’s going, I do know where it has been.I also know that you have been there with me, too, and have tucked me in the deep pockets of your own travels as we share the ride and the meal. I thank you for your visits, whether you subscribe to my feed or are just passing through.I heartily propose a shimmery froth of a toast.Get ready to clink your glasses. Here’s to all of you, to us…what was, what is, and what is yet to be.The world’s our oyster!Happy New Year, everyone!

Combine all ingredients except club soda and garnish in a cocktail shaker or blender. Shake or blend until well mixed and frothy. Strain into cocktail glass. Top with club soda. Garnish if desired. Makes 1 cocktail. --

* N.B. - Though the risk is low, consuming raw egg products can potentially expose you to the salmonella bacteria. You can find pasteurized egg whites in the baking aisle of your supermarket.

This post is being submitted to Bee and Jai of Jugalbandi, hosting the January Liquid Comfort theme of their monthly photography event, CLICK. Specifically, I am throwing the first photo into the ring for consideration.

I cook and bake in that cute little galley kitchen up there. It's not as tidy as it used to be, and the walls are a deep tagine red now, but it's a cozy, homey space where you are always welcome to drop in. You can reach me at thewellseasonedcook AT yahoo DOT com. I'd be delighted to hear from you.